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Resource | Webinars/Videos Updated Infant and Preschool Meal Patterns

FNS staff discuss the updated preschool meal patterns in the National School Lunch Program (including snack service) and School Breakfast Program, as well as the updated milk requirements in the Special Milk Program, which went into effect on Oct. 1, 2017.

12/14/2017
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2017-0045 Flexibility for Co-Mingled Preschool Meals: Questions and Answers

This memorandum provides guidance on meals served to preschoolers when they are in the same service area at the same time as grade K-5 students, and it includes Questions and Answers. Additional guidance on the National School Lunch Program’s and School Breakfast Program’s infant and preschool meal pattern requirements will be issued soon.

SP37-2017
06/30/2017
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2015-0055 Meal Service Requirements in the Summer Meal Programs

This has been superseded by SP10 SFSP06-2017.

SP05 SFSP05-2016
11/12/2015
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2015-0033 Updated Offer vs Serve Guidance for the NSLP and SBP Beginning SY2015-16

Offer versus Serve is a provision in the NSLP and School Breakfast Program that allows students to decline some of the food offered. The goals of OVS are to reduce food waste in the school meals programs while permitting students to decline foods they do not intend to eat. 

SP41-2015
07/21/2015
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2015-0002 Summer Meal Programs Meal Service Requirements Q&As - Revised

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide guidance on meal service requirements in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and the National School Lunch Program’s (NSLP) Seamless Summer Option (SSO).

SP13 SFSP05-2015v2
01/12/2015
Resource | Technical Assistance Software Approval Material for Alternates to USDA Certification Worksheets

These materials were compiled to assist companies who are developing or revising certification of compliance/menu planning software for USDA to approve for use in certification of compliance with the National School Lunch Program meal pattern requirements.

07/01/2013
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2013-0055 Extending Flexibility for RCCIs in the NSLP

On July 16, 2012, FNS issued memorandum SP 38-2012, which allowed Residential Child Care Institutions, with state agency approval, to serve the National School Lunch Program meal pattern in effect for the highest age/grade group served to all residential students.

SP48-2013
06/26/2013
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2012-0069 Streamlining At-Risk Meal Participation for School Food Authorities

The purpose of this memorandum is to streamline the requirements for participation of school food authorities in the at-risk afterschool meals component of CACFP.

SP09 CACFP04-2013
11/28/2012
Resource | Technical Assistance & Guidance National School Lunch Program Meal Pattern

Comparison of Previous and Current Regulatory Requirements under Final Rule “Nutrition Standards in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs” (published Jan. 26, 2012)

10/03/2012
Resource | Presentations Certification of Compliance with New Meal Pattern Requirements

Presentation. Certification of Compliance with New Meal Pattern Requirements

05/10/2012
Page updated: October 14, 2021